Zermatt!
STAY
Omnia
The Omnia sits on a rocky ledge above town, and is reached by ascending 148 feet in an elevator bored into the rock. The modern hotel has unparalleled service (we still have relationships with the staff year after year). In addition to two sundecks, there's an indoor-outdoor pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi with a view of the Matterhorn. Tip: ask for the down-feather mattress topper.
SEE + DO
Ski to Italy
Spend the day skiing to Italy (you can get a pass through the hotel), and make lunch a priority! Chalet Etoile is one of the best restaurants in Cervinia - make a reservation, go early, fuel up on pasta and spend the afternoon on the slopes before heading back to Zermatt :)
Evening at Riffelalp
Spend the evening at the Riffelalp hotel for a fun night outside Zermatt. Take the train up, have drinks in the cigar lounge, and dinner in the Walliserkeller - the raclette restaurant in the hotel.
Heli Tour
Take in a bird's-eye view of the Matterhorn with a helicopter tour. A thrilling sightseeing flight, ideal for a special occasion or treat.
Paragliding
If you opt out of the heli tour, paragliding is another awesome way to see the valley. Not sure if you did it when we were there, but could be really fun to do again with Chase!
Cinema
Vernissage is a bar, art gallery, restaurant and movie theater. With 2 Michelin stars, it's no surprise that a meal and a movie start around 60 francs, but worth it for the experience!
EAT + DRINK
Mountains
Chez Vrony
Chez Vrony is a beautiful chalet constructed in the early 1900s. The place has changed significantly since then, now a hot spot for a champagne ski lunch. Have some drinks, sit in the cozy fur lounge chairs, and be sure to order the rösti :)
Zum See
Have a fancy ski lunch at Zum See - as you probably remember one of our favorite spots! Disclaimer - the restaurant becomes very upscale in the high season, and they don't serve the traditional Swiss classics -so don't get your hopes up for rösti and cinnamon ice cream :( That being said, the rack of lamb is amazing and worth ordering - the lunch is quite heavy so you might want to skip dinner.
Chalet Etoile
Reached via blue run No 6 above Plan Maison, Chalet Etoile has been a Cervinia institution for the past 40 years. The pasta dishes are amazing - something you won't really find in Zermatt. If you go, make sure to have early reservations as the last gondola to get back to Zermatt leaves at 3:30PM.
Igloo Bar
In the Igloo Village, you can enjoy a view of the Matterhorn and a beer. The place has rooms + jacuzzis for overnight guests (could be fun for a night).
Town
Stefanie's Crêperie
One of our favorite spots!
Brat Man
And another :)
Zermatterstübli
This is the absolute best place to get fondue in town, a must visit. Plan on only ordering fondue (maybe a side salad) - the champagne fondue is the best!
Sonmatten
This super cozy restaurant is in the village of Winkelmatten, about a 7-minute taxi drive from the center of Zermatt. It’s a little out of the way -- therefore, still a well-kept secret - offering only a 4-course daily set menu.
Schäferstube
Set in the Romantik Hotel Julen, this is a probably the most quintessential Swiss Alpine restaurant in Zermatt. Their specialty is lamb dishes, reflecting the Julen family’s sheep farming business. Burger, sausages and ragù are made with lamb meat from their farm. They also have their raclette cheese made by local cheese makers with their own cows’ milk.
Le Gitan
Le Gitan Grill is one of the more formal restaurants in town - a special occasion spot. The small romantic restaurant focuses on meat and fish cooked over a wood fire.
Elsie's Bar
For upscale cocktails before dinner, head to Elsie's bar (right across from the church in town). Built in 1879 and bought by Elsie Wicki in 1961, the bar has changed hands a few times since but has never lost its charm.
Gee's Bar
Gee's is one of the newer spots in town, built on what was the first floor of Grampi's. Now one of the most popular bars in town, Gee's is a great place for a night cap. Also worth noting, there's live music every night and a club/cigar lounge downstairs.